Chief Chat: Quiet New Year's Eve for RPD

Saturday

Jan 4, 2014 at 11:00 AM

Happy New Year! I hope you had a safe and fun-filled new year, and that you plan to stay strong on your resolutions. Our patrol division reported a relatively quiet night on New Year's Eve with one arrest for driving while intoxicated. This is a low percentage compared to the amount of traffic stops during that period.

Rolla Police Chief Mark Kearse

Happy New Year! I hope you had a safe and fun-filled new year, and that you plan to stay strong on your resolutions. Our patrol division reported a relatively quiet night on New Year's Eve with one arrest for driving while intoxicated. This is a low percentage compared to the amount of traffic stops during that period. The low number attributes to your commitment to drink responsibly and to avoid drinking and driving. Thank you for your commitment to keeping yourself and others safe!Last February, the CAL team (communications assisting life) attended a state competition for an opportunity to develop their skills and to see how well they stacked up against other teams. The CAL team is a crisis negotiation team developed from within the Rolla Police Department that responds to crisis incidents such as barricaded subjects and hostage situations. Not only did the team meet their goals, but they also they exceeded them by taking first place. They competed against teams from Kansas City, Columbia and the Missouri State Highway Patrol just to name a few. The CAL team was rewarded with an invitation to San Marcos, Texas, where they will compete in a national competition during the first week of January.Our current team consists of five full-time members and one part-time member. They include Sgt. Wayne Rapier, Communications Supervisor Stacey Smith, Administrative Assistant Kerri Shults, Missouri S&T officer Dan Kilgore, Detective Derrick Dillon and Detective Sgt. Ken Nakanishi (part-time).The team also has a huge support role from Detectives George Arnold and Shawn Hedge of the Phelps County Sheriff's Department who have also received specific training in this area. Also, a big shout out to Andy Davis, retired detective with the Phelps County Sheriff's Department, and Deb McMahon with Crisis Management Systems who both serve as mentors for our team and have served as an instrumental part of our training. Thanks to the City of Rolla Fire and Rescue for always being willing to step in and help. They will be making the trip to Texas with their command post. Wish the team luck as they continue to train and compete so they can better serve this community when it's time.The following is a letter we received from Emily Piette of the Life Crisis Services hotline. Emily writes: "I would like to express my gratitude to your department for the excellent handling of a recent caller, Jane (not real name), who reported that she took pills in a suicide attempt. Call taker No. 921 took immediate action in initiating a wellness check, and officers were able to find Jane and help her get to the hospital."Please know that we truly appreciate your hard work and your dedication to our callers and hotline. (Call taker No. 921 is our newest telecommunicator Ian Mathews who is in training under Amanda Jones.) Great job!"This next entry is from the desk of Sgt. Vince Giacolone who is our Law Enforcement Torch Run liaison for Special Olympics. Vince writes: "Recently, Special Olympics – Missouri held their 2014 Law Enforcement Torch Run kickoff, where plans are made for the new year on how to better serve our Special Olympic athletes through several events hosted by law enforcement agencies across Missouri. "The Rolla Police Department is a longtime Torch Run supporter and has hosted many events in the past raising thousands of dollars for our local athletes. This year we will continue the tradition with the annual Torch Run T-shirt sale and a Polar Plunge to be held in February."A very important part of the fundraising campaign is T-shirt sales, and right now the Torch Run T-shirts are available. To order, or to personally see the new 2014 shirts, stop by the police department and contact Sgt. Vince Giacolone or Cpl. Tony Lauth or call them at 308-1213. "Short sleeve shirts are $10 each (except XXX-large which are $15). We have these adult sizes in stock right now: medium, large, X-large, XX-large for $10 each. Small and XXX-large adult sizes and medium and large children's sizes are also available. (We can order them and have them for you in seven days). "Please note: long-sleeve shirts are available this year but are by order only. They are priced at $15 each. Please help us help the athletes."Have a great week!